Gizmondo Set for August US Launch

Gizmondo—a new portable gaming console that previewed at the International Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in January and launched in Europe earlier this year—will be released in the United States on August 11, the company behind the product announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) last week. The console will compete with Nintendo's GameBoy and Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) for portable game fans. The system is based on Microsoft's Windows CE and in addition to its gaming functionality, the device also functions as a digital camera, movie and audio player, and GPS device. It can also send messages over a General Packet Radio System (GPRS) phone system. The pocket-sized device also includes Bluetooth and a Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia Card (MMC) slot. There won't be a shortage of games for the new platform, with 89 games expected this year. Many of the games will take advantage of the system's camera, GPS, and Bluetooth features. At E3, the company announced that Electronic Arts (EA) has signed on to work with the device. EA will release several games for the platform, including its popular FIFA Soccer 2005 and SSX 3.